He has asked Republicans to separate out the Homeland Security bill from the others to avoid a broader shutdown. He indicated that he might be open to some of their demands, but encouraged Democrats and the White House to talk and find agreement. The White House had invited some Democrats for a discussion to better understand their positions and avoid a partial government shutdown, a senior White House official said, but the meeting did not happen. Even if the Senate could resolve the issue, House Republicans have made clear they do not want any changes to the bill they have passed. “The package will not come back through the House without funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” according to the letter.